UC Davis Extension International Programs
Program for
ZhejiangUniversity
“ZhejiangUniversity Summer Program2009”
International English and Professional Programs (IEPP) is honored to present this proposal for the Summer (July) 2009 “American University Academic and Cultural Orientation Program,” (AUACOP). The program is designed to include approximately 40ZhejiangUniversity students. Students will participate in the four-week program to learn about American culture, the American higher education system for undergraduates and postgraduates, and to experience campus life at an American university. We are proposing a program based on the experiences of other past successful short-term academic orientation programs. We have included activities suited to the summer season in the U.S.such as attending aprofessional baseball game and outdoor recreation in an area of scenic natural beauty. The students will have opportunities to attend and observe some lecture classes alongside registered UC Davis students, interact with UC Davis students informally at campus restaurants and events, and to gain exposure to the academic departments which are relevant to their major fields. The program is based on weekly themes with related activities developed to enhance the students’ cultural and educational knowledge and to provide them with a thorough orientation program.
Program Specifics
This program is designed to involve students in orientation activities. Week One introduces students to daily life and regional government in the U.S. Week Two introduces students to U.S. higher education. Week Three further familiarizes students with university programs and facilities plus introduces key aspects of the graduate school experience. Week Four allows for more individual exploration and research with some recreation options typical in the U.S. Students will:
- participate in group discussions and attend academic lectures related to American politics and economics, current research at UC Davis, and the American higher education system;
- tour UCD campus research and learning facilities;
- have a field trip to Sacramento, state capital of California;
- have a field trip to Jelly Belly candy factory with shopping;
- meet with UCD campus administrators, students, lecturers and student services personnel;
- visit other higher education institutions (Berkeley and Stanford) in northern California;
- observe UCD undergraduate lecture classes in their respective fields of study;
- attend two English sessions to learn idioms and practice pronunciation;
- visit local businesses and attend community cultural and social events
- have daily access to MediaResourceCenter (language lab) during open hours
Each week there will be classroom instruction or discussion sessions especially designed for the Zhejiang group. As individuals, students are encouraged to attend and observe regularly scheduled UC Davis classes and the schedule allows for that. In addition – and integral to the orientation process – will be the students’ participation in field trips to northern California attractions, cities, businesses and universities. These will include visits to Sacramento, UC Berkeley, and StanfordUniversity.
No class sessions are scheduled on weekends and students may wish to arrange group or independent travel. Students who wish to visit San Francisco will be provided clear directions and advice. (Public transportation from Davis to San Francisco is frequent, cheap and reliable.) California Tours is an independent operator of group tours and it is suggested that the Zhejiang students consider using that option for more extensive travel (for example, LosAngeles or Disneyland.) Contact information will be provided upon request.
Each Zhejiang student will be expected to attend all scheduled group sessions and activities to assure that he/she has a complete cultural immersion and academic orientation.
Program Costs
IP is pleased to waive our usual program application fee of $160 per student to show our appreciation for our very important relationship with ZhejiangUniversity. Total program costs for the AUOACP include all instruction, program materials, field trips, entry fees, social activities, program-related transportation, airport pick-up and drop-off, medical insurance, and administrative fees. One expense which has been particularly high compared to last year is the transportation costs for the field trips.
The program cost for the 2009 program will be $60,145.00 for a group of 24 participants and $1749.00 for every additional student up to a maximum of40 students total. Thus, for 40 students, the total will be ($60,145+ ($1749 x 16)) = $$88,129.00 or for 39 students, the total will be ($60,145 + ($1749 x 15)) = $86,380.00, etc.
Staff
International Programs will staff the program. The Coordinator of the program will be Jeff Gunzelman, who will organize and lead individual events, acting as the main point of contact for the students. He will be assisted by other members of the International Program staff who may teach, lead discussions, guide tours or otherwise assist with daily activities. In addition, IEPP has a highly-trained student services staff able to deal with participants’ cultural, social, and academic concerns. Janis Williamson, PhD is the Program Director and will assist and oversee the overall program delivery.
Housing
ZhejiangUniversity students will participate in the homestay program. The students will be placed with Worldwide International Student Exchange Foundation (WISE). The Worldwide International Student Exchange Foundation arranges for our international students to live with an American family. The family provides a private room with a bed, dresser, and desk, and three meals a day. Homestay participants receive an outstanding cultural and language immersion experience. They will learn about U.S. customs and American food, participate in family celebrations, and practice English in family conversations and activities. Families who welcome international students into their homes have been screened and evaluated, and not only want to share their way of life with the students but also want to learn about the students’ home and culture. Many students consider the experiences with “their family” the most memorable part of their stay in Davis and keep in touch with their American host parents for many years.
WISE Homestay placement fees*
$310 for five to 10 weeks
$215 for four weeks or fewer
$75 continuation fee for additional term in same home
WISE Homestay host family accommodation fees (private room)*
$25.00/night, three meals per day
*Fees are subject to change. Payment is to be made directly to WISE, and not to UC Davis. Shannon Johnson, the Program Director, can be contacted by phone at
(530) 406-1330), fax at (530) 406-1315, or Email at .
For complete information and an application, go to:
Transportation
International Programs staff will pick up the students upon their arrival at San FranciscoInternationalAirport and take them to the UC Davis campus. At the end of the program, they will be taken back to the airport for their return to China. While in Davis, the students will have bus passes which allow them unlimited travel within the city. Some students’ homestay families may provide bicycles for the students. If not, we recommend that the students rent bicycles while in Davis. (Bicycle rentals are available from Outdoor Adventures on campus or from several bicycle shops in Davis.) This is the most popular and convenient mode of transportation for students on campus and in Davis.
Program Dates
A tentative arrival date is July 7, 2009 is suggested. Programming instruction begins the following day, July 8. Program activities would end on August 4.The participants could depart for home on August 5.
Concluding Remarks
The IP staff and administration are honored to expand our relationship with ZhejiangUniversity by providing this new Summer Program. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Most respectfully,
Janis S. Williamson, Ph.D.
Director, International English and Professional Programs
UCDavis Extension
1333 Research Park Drive
Davis, CA95618-4852
Tel. 530 752-4981
Fax. 530 757-8596